Tag Archives: Recipe

I love the Pioneer Woman like she’s a friend of mine. I go through phases like this when there is a celebrity that I really like. I used to love Martha Stewart that way. With her it wasn’t her person but her stuff. Her decorating, crafts, etc. Martha is not very approachable though. I honestly feel like I could hang out with Ree Drummond.

She has taught me how to cook. My mother did and my grandmother did. Cookbooks and experience have too. But in the past couple of years, since I discovered Ree and started watching her show, reading her blog and making her recipes, she has taught me how to cook.

With some recipes you get the idea that the author doesn’t really want you to make it well. They leave things out. Ree tenderly and carefully explains every detail in a girlfriend kind of way. You know what you are doing, you feel confident, and you smile. And when it’s all over, the recipes work! And you have happy customers.

My brother and his family got me a Pioneer Woman cookbook for Christmas. I loooooooooooove it!

My sister-in-law is trying out baking and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m not sure she enjoys baking as much as I do. I guess you either love it or you don’t.

For Thanksgiving, she may be baking an apple pie. Have you ever heard the expression “Easy as apple pie?” Apple pie is supposed to be easy. If you cheat and buy a pre-made pie crust, like I do, that’s half the battle. Unfortunately store-bought tastes better than my crust! 😦

I do recommend using fresh apples though, not canned, because it will taste better. And it’s pretty easy to chop up apples.

I sent her 2 recipes for apple pie (Alton Brown and the Pioneer Woman). I usually read a couple of recipes first and decide which appeals to me the most: ingredients, process, how long it takes, etc.

Once I decide on which to use, I read it again carefully to make sure I have all the equipment, ingredients, etc. Then I buy everything I need and try it out.

People that are into cooking often read cookbooks the way others read novels. I love reading cookbooks. There’s nothing like curling up with a great cookbook to drool over pictures, learn cooking techniques, and find good recipes and ideas.

In order to satisfy my sweet tooth and my love of baking, while also being healthy and doing right by Weight Watchers, I’ve turned towards healthy baking. Last weekend I baked banana nut bran muffins. I found a recipe for healthy cookies. It reminds me a bit of a recipe my sister shared with me. One good thing about this recipe: sugar is not an added ingredient. Woo hoo! The recipe also looks easy!

I celebrated my birthday over the weekend. It was a very small gathering. I had a Hello Kitty theme. Yes, I am 49 years old. Call me forever young and quirky but I like Hello Kitty and that’s what I wanted.